<Storyteller> The scene changes before your eyes, and you find yourself in a rocky
desert.
<Storyteller> You look about yourself and see off in the distance a quick flash of
sunlight on glinting metal
* William looks around for his friends
<Storyteller> You realise you are utterly alone out here
* William squints and tries to see what the metal is
<Storyteller> You try but can't quite see what it is, it is in the distance
* William is very confused and angered by the fact that he's been separated from the
group, and draws his sword again and swings around
<Storyteller> The lonliness of the desert wind howls through the rocky canyons as you
swing your sword in frustration
<Storyteller> The metal glints in your eyes once more
* William sighs and begins moving towards the metal warily-- keeping his sword aloft
<Storyteller> You walk for what seems like ages, finally reaching the glint you look
down in the rocky sand to see a metal lipp emerging from the sand
* William crouches down and tries to brush the sand away to get a better look at the
metal
<Storyteller> It it the lip of a cup
* William gasps as his eyes suddenly get wide, and he hastily rips the cup from the
sand-- inspecting it
<Storyteller> You try to ripp the cup from the sand but as you do the metal crumbles
in your hands, and soon all that's left is ashes
<Markova> "So your quest is never over," says a voice from above, You look to see a
wooden cross suspended in air above you with Markova crucified to it
* Markova shakes his head, his thorn crown scratching the wood of the cross
* William looks at Markova in shock-- feeling the crushing loss of being so close to
holding the grail
* William stands angrily and looks at Markova
<Markova> "Ahh the great quest..we have them all do we not?"
<William> "I like seeing you hanging there, Markova. Why don't you stay there."
* Markova smiles
<Markova> "Yes, I thought you would."
<William> "I'd run you through right now for impresonating my savior, but I know
there would be no point to it." William says with his teeth clenched.
<Markova> "You quest for spiritual meaning and relavence in this less than spiritual
world...and my quest to bring balance. We are not so different I think."
* William laughs sarcastically
* Markova looks at you with amusement
<William> "Your quest is to bring yourself to power-- to try to rival the position of
the true God!"
<Markova> "Your laughter belies your understanding, William. And no, power is the
furthest of my dreams."
<Markova> "the true god eh?"
* William nods firmly
<Markova> "let me get down from this cross, soon it will be cold...we'll need the
wood yes?"
<William> "Get down, yourself. I don't need any fire to keep me warm."
* William looks bitter
* Markova floats down from the cross, and once off, the cross falls to the ground and
breaks apart.
<Markova> "There is your true savior, William. He cried and wept on the cross,
fearing death as any man would."
<William> "Power is the furthest of your dreams? Then why do you ask us to join you?
Sounds like you're the ringleader of your ideal world."
<Markova> "Even tho he knew he would sit at the right hand of god."
* William is quiet as he listens to Markova...waiting for more sacriledge to come
from his mouth
<Markova> "Ring leader? No, perhaps more, ringmaster of the end of of all that is to
bring pain and misery yes."
<Markova> "Is that not a moral quest?"
<William> "Let me tell you a little tale of Jesus and Satan...it might sound
familiar..."
<Markova> "Your holy grail was supposed to heal the sick, and bring immortality to
man."
* Markova listens
<William> "Satan wanted God's glory in order to force men to be happy. Jesus wanted
to give the glory back to God by allowing men to chose. I thank God everyday he
chose Jesus to be the world's savior!"
* Markova listens with an honest look and then bursts out laughing
<Markova> "Choice?"
* William puts his sword away and folds his arms over his chest
<Markova> "choice? Let me tell you about choice. Given a choice, man will chose the
wrong path nine times out of ten."
<Markova> "They should have seen me coming a mile away in Rome, yet here I am. A
general in the most powerful army thw world had ever seen."
<William> "Then why would you want to do anything "generous" for mankind by clearing
out what you deam souls taking up space?"
<Markova> "Because, that is the true choice. Oblivion only strips away the pain, the
enduring pain of man."
<William> "There's no accounting for leaders' intelligence, Markova."
* Markova gestures you to follow him
<William> "And then what happens to that soul?"
<Markova> "I'll show you leadership."
* William is into the debate now, and follows quickly
* Markova walks through the desert as the scene changes to one of a farm. markova
stands there in overalls and a straw hat. A reed of wheat hangs from his lip. he
leans against a fence and motions for you to look
<Markova> "Look, this is what true leadership is," he says pointing to the sheep
within the fence
* William laughs unexpectedly as he sees Markova's new attire
<Markova> "Who is the leader here? Me, the farmer keeping them within the pen, or the
alpha male, who keeps order within the pen?"
* William shakes his head and watches the sheep to see what Markova means to show him
<William> "Knowing the intelligence of sheep vs. man, I'd have to say you are."
<Markova> "Ahh you see here you are wrong." he says opening the pen and walking in
the herd of sheep. he sits and begins to stroke the head of the alpha male.
* William slits his eyes and watches carefully
<Markova> "No, I'm not the leader, I only built the pen, like God made the world. I
only set the environment, made the rules. It's up to the sheep to choose a leader
amongst themselves to police them."
<William> "Yes, but who leads these sheep once the farmer lets them out of the pen?"
<Markova> "That's what I want, William. The fence is battered, broken. Sheep are
everywhere, we need to fence them in once again. set the rules and boundaries."
<William> "Alone, the sheep would be lost and make stupid decisions when alarmed."
<Markova> "And then let them choosewho among them shall lead."
<William> "You want to be chosen to be leader?"
<Markova> "That is what's wrong with the world, william." he smiles and roughly takes
the sheeps head, there is a snapping bone as he breaks it's neck.
<Markova> "The king is dead," he says as he ripps off a leg
* William jumps back from the fence in surprise and shouts angrily
<Markova> "And he tastes just like the rest of them, like mutton."
<Markova> "Want a bite?"
<William> "You would kill anyone standing in the way of you being the leader. That's
what you've shown me."
* William turns away in disgust
<Markova> "No, of course not. Men die, do they not?"
<Markova> "we wouldn't be standing here if they didn't. You died, I died, we all die."
<William> "All men die because they are mortal. You would take the threads and cut
them prematurely."
<Markova> "Who's to say one thread is better than the other?"
<Markova> "God, right?"
<Markova> "So wouldn't God, stop me from killing the worthwhile?"
<William> "Then would you submit to being obliviated in order to "better mankind"
Markova?"
<Markova> "oblivion is the end of sentience, not the soul. The material is there,
just wiped clean."
<William> "I don't know what God considers we who are wraiths, but I know he loves us
all."
<Markova> The scene changes once again and you find yourself in a school house. The
classroom is filled with chldren
<William> "What if I want to be the alpha-male, and decide that YOU should be
obliviated, Markova? What would you say THEN?"
<Storyteller> markova and you stand in the back while the teacher is teaching a lesson
<Markova> "Just watch William. Say that blackboard is a life, yes?"
* William puts down the finger he was pointing at Markova and closes his mouth
<Markova> "And that life is a lesson to us all."
<Markova> "So what happens when that lesson is done?"
<Storyteller> The teacher wipes off the blackboard and begins writing on it again
<William> "It is reproduced on the papers the students are writing on...to be
remembered."
<Markova> "Exactly, we wipe the board clean and make a new life, a new lesson, a
better lesson."
<Markova> "Good point, William. Oblivion doesn't erase the memory of the person in
his loved ones, just he himself like the blackboard."
<Markova> "Look at these children, eager to learn, so eager they thirst for it."
* William looks surprised that Markova agreed with him on something
<Markova> "isn't it time we give give them a new lesson? Complete with textbooks and
everything."
<William> "And you would have then wiped-out to make room for more. A senseless
life..."
<Markova> "it's not like I need a school budget to worry about yes?" he says nudging
you in the ribs
<William> "And what lesson would you give them? That they might be obliviated if
they do not measure up to a worth-while life in your eyes?"
<Markova> "Oblivion is a necessary part of existance. Look at us wraiths, we don't
age, we don't get sick or get heart disease. We are truly immortal. Without
Oblivion, we wraiths would fill the Shadowlands."
<Markova> "Ahhh glad you brought that up, William."
<Storyteller> The scene changes once again to a street corner
<William> "But wraiths chose where they go of their own accord. They can give in to
their shadows, or progress to the next world."
<Storyteller> An old woman is walking towards an atm, several gang members stand on
the corner listening to loud music.
* William watches the woman with concern and draws his sword
<Markova> "Look at this scene, and you tell me, who's more worthwhile? The woman? The
gangbangers?"
<Storyteller> The gang suddenly stops their revelry and walk over to the old woman and
begin to harass her. One of them pulls out a knife and stabs her, while another
takes her money and they run off.
<William> "I know what it is to join a cause you think is worth fighting for. They
are just mis-guided as you would have us be."
<Markova> "Misguided?"
<Markova> "Look at what they just did."
* William realizes he can do nothing in this consciousness and put his sword back
again
* William shakes his head
<Markova> "Can you honestly tell me, ninety percent of the world would damn me for
getting rid of pieces of flotsam like them?"
<William> "They will receive their punishment in the greater scheme of things..."
* Markova slaps you on the back
<Markova> "yes!"
<Markova> "Hallelujah! he gets it. So William, who do you think that punishment is?"
<William> "That's why it was our group who were given the choice, Markova. We would
damn you. Erik was like them, once..."
* William rocks forward in surprise
<William> "Their punishement?"
<Markova> "Hell is different for everyone. Erik was given his chance, he did well. Do
these gangbangers desrve that chance?"
<William> "I am not God, Markova. I will let God decide their punishment."
<Markova> "What chance did they give the old woman? Like your God said, eye for and
eye right?"
<William> "No, that was an old law. That law was taken away when the people needed
something less."
<Markova> "So why not send their souls to Oblivion and wash away all their hate, all
their anger, and begin anew."
<Markova> "Fresh, clean, a new start, without all the old luggage."
* William stops for a second and hides his face by turning his back to Markova again
* William pulls out his sword and concentrates on it, mumbling something to himself
<Markova> "The emperor has no clothes William. it's time you told him."
<William> "God give me strength...God give me strength..."
<William> After sighing and relaxing for a moment, William turns back to Markova.
<Markova> "God has given you the strength. It's right here. Join me, and you can have
that strength to help the world."
<William> "And you would wipe clean only the wicked, Markova?"
<Markova> "Wash it clean, Will. The choice is yours."
<Markova> "The wicked are most deserving yes?"
<William> "But you don't know their circumstances! You don't know what they would
become!"
<Markova> "Become?"
<Markova> "who cares?"
<William> "Are you proposing to wait until they die, and hope to chance they become
wraiths?"
<Markova> "It's what they did, William. Somethings can never be taken back."
<William> "You are only proposing to destroy wraiths, correct?"
<Markova> "the old lady had a future, a short one, but a future nontheless. Someone
out there lost a wife, a mother, a grandmother."
<Markova> "All her stories, all her wisdom, all her lessons, gone for two hundred,
and seventy five dollars, and sixty three cents."
<Markova> "those gangbangers, took that all away for a hit of crack. A high that
lasts only a few moments."
<Markova> "Sixty two years of life, for sixty three seconds of heart racing bliss, do
they deserve a chance?"
<Markova> "I will destroy those who still breathe if I can...but only those who need
it."
<Markova> "Oblivion is the greatest second chance."
* William nods in understanding
<Markova> "no more hate, no more anger, no more past life to give you these terrible
thoughts."
<William> "Then I cannot join you, Markova. You would seek to end the life before
any good can come of it."
<Markova> "Clean slate, new choices, new beginings."
<Markova> "All that begins here...take my hand William, this is your last chance."
<William> "Under your plan, too many would be dead who proved later to be intrumental
in helping other lives."
<Markova> "Take my hand...join me."
* William grips his sword tightly
<William> "I cannot, Markova. Whatever honor you think you are acting under, I do
not agree with."
<Markova> "So be it."
<Storyteller> You feel the scene change to a smoky private backroom. Outside you can
hear the sounds of a casino, and underneath you you can feel the riverboat rock
back and forth on the water
<Storyteller> You stop shuffling the deck for a moment
* Markova sits across from you. he is dressed in a fine blue and grey suit, a cigar
dangles from his mouth
<Remy> "So what is it, Markova? Divide and conquor? Standard roman style, isn't it?"
<Markova> "Well are you going to deal?"
<Remy> "Alright. Ok, I'll deal."
* Remy deals a card
* Markova spreads his hands and smiles, "I'm a standard roman, yes?"
<Remy> "In some ways..."
* Remy deals the cards, rather
* Markova takes it, "So what are we playing? Black jack? Poker? Gin?"
<Markova> "go fish?" he says with a smile
<Remy> "Poker, of course. It's the game I cut my teeth on."
<Remy> "'supose in some ways, I'm a standard gambler."
* Remy grins a bit
* Markova smiles, his teeth are all nails, "Cut your teeth on eh?"
<Markova> "Yes, you are the GAMBLER OF FATE, aren't you."
<Markova> "I have been looking forward to this, my friend. Yes indeed."
<Remy> "You might say that. I've never been overly fond of titles, though."
* Markova nods
<Remy> "And why is that?"
<Markova> "I like a good game, and I think you will give me the best game, eh?"
* Markova motions to your surroundings, "Appropriate yes?"
* Remy nods. "Back home, I take it?"
<Markova> "Of course, anything to make you more comfortable."
<Remy> "I imagine I'll give you a run for your money," Remy says, doning his poker
face
* Markova looks at his cards, and with a poker face, hold up two fingers
<Markova> "Two."
<Markova> "See I'm not here to recruit you, Remy."
* Remy deals markova another two. He then takes two for himself
<Remy> "No? So we've battled waves of spectres and fought for the very city of new
york, watched our companions die and come this far to play a game of cards?"
<Markova> "i'm not that stupid, you see I know that you and the girl will never turn.
So why bother? I only need a few of you."
<Markova> "Sure, why not. It makes a good metaphysical statement doesn't it?"
* Remy grins wryly. "Seems like you're avoiding the legion of Fate."
<Markova> "All this for what?"
* Markova looks at you slyly
<Markova> "I am."
<Markova> "You two are so indoctrinated in the Prophets words that there's nothing I
can do to change that."
* Remy shrugs. "To participate in something higher? I'm not sure yet."
<Markova> "Remember the two sided coin Remy? There are two side to every story..."
<Remy> "As I told you earlier; I'd be glad to listen to your side"
<Markova> "Here we go with the noble causes again..."
<Markova> "I too have anoble cause, to bring balance."
<Remy> "So you've said. I also recall you saying that there *is* no balance?"
<Markova> "Not right now there isn't."
<Markova> "the pendulum swings to far to the right, at this point. I want to nudge it
to the left a bit."
<Markova> "is that so bad?"
<Remy> "The nudge changes momentum, the pendulum swings all the way to the left, and
no one is there to nudge it back again."
<Markova> "That's where you come in, isn't it? To make sure it doesn't go all the way
left."
<Markova> "It's all about checks and balances."
<Markova> "We are the check, the world is the balance."
<Remy> "True. But you wish to hold all the checks, do you not? You say you only
need a 'few of us'. What does this mean, exactly?"
<Markova> "Or should I say the world is on the balance."
* Markova shrugs
<Markova> "It means what it does, take it as you will."
<Markova> "I'm just here to try to get you to see my side."
<Remy> "You keep talking of your side. Why don't you explain it to me."
<Markova> "A truly evil creature would try to kill you all, me I want to talk it out."
<Markova> "My side is this."
<Markova> "The world is polluted, anger, hate, pain. Sure there is love, compassion
and mercy, but they are in short supply, can we agree on that?"
<Remy> "Agreed."
<Markova> "Good, now I want to even it out, take away some of that hate, anger and
pain, so that there are equal ammounts. I'm no fool to think that there can be
love without hate."
<Markova> "You need them both."
<Markova> "the problem is, that people are born with the baggage of their pasts,
their old lives."
<Markova> "All the old hate and anger are still there."
<Remy> "I concede on that point. But people *can* change."
<Markova> "Oblivion just wipes the slate clean, it doesn't destroy the fabric of
life, just dyes it white to be made anew."
<Markova> "Yes they can change, but do they? Do they really, remy?"
<Remy> "Perhaps not all of them, but some do. *I* did."
<Markova> "So why not get rid of the ones who won't?"
<Remy> "And who are you to deny them the chance?"
<Markova> "Who are we to allow them to continue to live and bring pain to the
innocent when we can do something about it?"
<Remy> "Because people will surprise you when you least expect it."
<Markova> "Like the great philosphical debate, if you met Hitler when he was just a
child, and knew that there was no way he would change, would you kill him?"
<Markova> "or would you let him live and kill millions?"
<Remy> "I don't know that I could answer that.."
<Markova> "Of course not, because you know the answer, deep in your heart you'd kill
him. Even tho he was just a boy. he would grow up to be the most hated man in
history."
<Remy> "Alright. I might. What of it? I *don't* know that these people will go on
to kill millions. Is it better to kill millions of them so that they might not be
able to?"
<Markova> "Yes! And honestly, would the world mourn the death of a few more
terrorists, gangbangers and thugs? Would they really?"
<Remy> "You say a few. I know you mean otherwise."
<Markova> "A few, many does it make a difference?"
<Markova> "Would the world mourn if every terrorist was killed?"
<Markova> "or every gangbanger?"
<Markova> "Think about it, sure their mothers and fathers would of course, but
wouldn't you and every other person in New York feel better knowing that their
mothers, daughters, sons and wives could walk down the street ins safety?"
<Remy> "Perhaps not. But that doesn't make it moral."
<Markova> "Moral?"
<Markova> "Are these creatures moral?"
<Remy> "No."
<Markova> "Sometimes Remy, you must be as evil as the evil you destroy in order to
win."
<Remy> "I can't believe that. To win at all costs is to fail in the end."
<Markova> "Sometimes you have to stoop to their level."
<Markova> "really?"
<Markova> "Winning at all costs? What is the cost? A few immoral fucks get to get
their slate wiped clean?"
<Markova> "Ten gangbangers die, and you know what happens?"
<Remy> "Yes. Or should we all treat our foes like you did in your dreams? Should we
be devoid of mercy, pity, compassion? "
<Remy> "If that's what it's like to fight for oblivion, I want no part of it."
<Markova> "Several grandmothers can now cash their social scurity checks without
fear, several children can now where their air jordans or whatever they call them."
<Markova> "like I said, Remy. I know I cannot recruit you, escpecially you of all
people."
<Remy> "Perhaps. I don't have the answers, I can only hope there is justice in the
end."
<Remy> "I'm nearly flattered, Markova."
<Markova> "there is...it's me."
* Markova laughs a genuine laugh
<Markova> "You don't know the future, Remy."
* Remy laughs a bit.
<Remy> "No, I don't."
<Markova> "I know two possible ones."
<Markova> "In either one, your'e fairly important. in one it's what you are going to
do, in the other, it's what youv'e done already."
* Remy tilts his chair back, genuinely curious. "Care to elaborate?"
<Markova> "No, I want to play it out, but I promise, either way...I'll let you know."
<Markova> "There are two prophecies, one from the Prophet of fate...the other from
me."
<Markova> "both are coming true...this is the final act for both.."
* Remy smiles. "Fair enough. So you fancy yourself a prophet, too?"
<Markova> "No, just a messenger."
<Markova> "A tipper of the balance so to speak."
<Remy> "Of oblivion?"
<Markova> "Towards Oblivion anyway."
<Remy> "I see. You know, I'm curious. What's your take of the past, anyway?"
<Markova> "I'm not going to try to recruit you, as I said before. In both versions,
you don't soo.."
<Markova> "My take is this, we humans are doomed to repeat our failures, but what if
we were all wiped clean of our pasts? We'd have new futures yes? new frontiers to
explore."
<Markova> "Everything would be new, a world filled with wonder."
* Remy slips his hand on the butt of his revolver, just in case
<Markova> "isn't that what the world is truly lacking?"
<Remy> "You make a strong case."
<Markova> "I'm not going to kill you either, Remy... instead I'm going to tell you
what I'm going to do when I win."
* Markova stands his eyes alight
<Markova> "I'm going to make everything new, fresh, clean. But first I have some
business to take care of..."
<Remy> "Of what manner?"
<Markova> "Your daughter for instance...she's first on my list."
* Remy narrows his eyes. "What do you mean?"
* Markova smiles
<Markova> "What I mean is, I am the dark and the end of all days, and when I awaken I
will finsd her."
<Markova> "I will destroy that impudent bodygaurd, the Prophet sent...and then her
man."
<Markova> "And then my friend, then things will get interesting."
<Storyteller> suddenly a figure emerges from the shadows, it is Emily.
* Remy slowly levels his pistol at Markova
<Markova> "It has been a very very long time since... well."
<Remy> "Thought you favored boys."
<Markova> "Bravo, Remy, she's a beautiful girl. What I'm going to do with..no...*to*
her will make the most depreved s&m club look the like the routine tuesday night
fuck at the Leclaire house..."
<Remy> "I'd kill you first."
<Markova> "I will rip that child from her belly and fill the emptiness with me."
<Remy> "Shut up."
<Markova> "You are in no position to stop me..."
<Markova> "But that's another matter for now, I tire of you and your threats."
* Markova lays down his cards and smiles
* Remy lowers the gun
<Markova> "Look at that, they are blank, I guess the game isn't over eh Remy?"
* Remy tosses his cards down
<Storyteller> Your hand faces upward
<Remy> "I suspect it's only beginning."
<Markova> "Three jacks, two aces."
<Markova> "Oh and one more thing...your grandson."
<Remy> "Full house."
<Markova> "the boy child Matthew...."
* Remy puts his pistol back into place.
<Markova> "In both prophecies...he dies...just thought you would want to know
that...."
<Storyteller> The darkness gathers you in, and envelopes you. All around you is
nothingness
* Brianna shivers uncontrollably
<Storyteller> It is cold, a moist cold, a figure walks towards you
<Markova> "I have been waiting for you."
* Brianna stares silently at the man
<Markova> "You don't have to talk to me, APPRENTICE."
<Markova> "I am not here to recruit you."
* Brianna folds her arms
<Brianna> "I know this. Though misguided, you are intelligent, and you would not
waste your time on the impossible."
<Markova> "You and the GAMBLER are so brainwashed by the Prophet that there is
nothing I could say to you to make you see my side."
<Markova> "You know," he says circling you
<Markova> "I always wondered what you would look like."
* Brianna follows him with her eyes
<Markova> "You measure up."
* Brianna 's eyes narrow
* Markova sighs
<Markova> "I'm not going to recruit you, but I'm going to show you things."
<Markova> "And at the end, I'll make you an offer you won't refuse."
* Markova smiles
* Brianna frowns
<Brianna> "I doubt that."
<Markova> Suddenly the scene changes to the house of the Chorister
<Markova> "Ahh remember this night?"
<Markova> "The night of destiny?"
* Brianna looks carefully around the room
<Markova> You can see yourself and your friends as the choristers rush through the
door
<Markova> "Look at them, soo much pride, so much hubris."
<Markova> "You were right in that, very intuitive of you."
<Markova> The chorister's face shine with haughtiness for a moment, and then as they
take the scene in it changes to that of horror
<Markova> "look at your friends so valiantly trying to explain but they would have
nothing of it."
<Markova> He motions to Alec as the man gets blown off his feet by a bolt
<Markova> "Now this, this is the best part...watch."
* Brianna shivers
<Markova> Brianna rushes over to heal him, and as she turns him over, she
sees...something. Her eyes go wide and then, the bullet hits her and she slumps.
<Markova> "Hmmm," he says rubbing his chin
<Markova> "what did you see Brianna?"
* Brianna averts her gaze
<Markova> "You know what you saw."
<Markova> "No blood."
<Brianna> "No. Why don't you tell me," she says, looking challengingly at Markova.
<Markova> "He was a clone wasn't he?"
<Markova> "You died trying to save your worst enemies creation...ironic yes?"
<Markova> A small vial appears in his hand
<Brianna> "I died trying to save a friend. I would have done it for any of the people
in that room."
<Markova> "Two people died...for this," he says dumping the contents on the ground
looking disgusted as the vulgar liquid plops to the floor
<Markova> "Friend? He was a clone, and probably trying to kill you all."
<Markova> "Would you do things differently with this knowledge?"
* Markova circles you
<Brianna> "No, I would not. His death could have taken the place of another's. If it
had not been for him, it could have been Samantha, or Tania who fell before the
Chorusters."
<Brianna> "I would have died regardless. The Lady of Fate called me."
<Markova> "Hmm good answer...but I know your'e not that niave."
<Markova> "ohh the Lady fate eh?"
<Markova> "I don't think so."
<Markova> "You were groomed."
* Brianna folds her arms again
* Markova motions and again the scene changes as you sit by a tree as a little girl
<Markova> "Look at you...young, innocent."
<Markova> "what's this? A spider, giving you a rose...not exactly something you see
everyday is it?"
* Brianna shrugs
<Brianna> "What do you care?"
* Markova shrugs
<Markova> "I don't."
<Brianna> "Then why are we here? What do you want?"
<Markova> "But you might. You were grown, groomed, and all your life was preparation
for this grand play you were to be the star of."
<Markova> "Face it, you were as much a clone as he was."
<Markova> "What I want, is for you to give in. Let me awaken."
<Markova> "Let me do what needs to be done."
<Brianna> "Why? What will you do when you awaken?"
<Markova> "I will put things back in balance."
<Markova> "give things a fresh start..."
<Brianna> "You are delusional. Who are you to play God?"
<Markova> "Who am I indeed."
<Markova> "I just want what's best."
<Markova> "I have the power, if God didn't want this done, would he have allowed me
to have it?"
<Brianna> "Perhaps your power is not meant for what you have designed to use it for.
I will not let you do this."
<Markova> "And who are you to stop me...see it's all checks and balances Brianna."
<Markova> "Like I said, you won't listen to my side."
<Brianna> "You are correct, I won't."
* Markova shrugs
<Markova> "That's fine, I only need a few of you."
<Markova> "And one has already joined me."
<Brianna> "Well then we are finished. I will not help you, no matter what lies and
convoluted truths you tell."
<Markova> "So again, you and Remy don't join. I know that. There are two prophecies,
Brianna, and neither of you turn in either of them."
* Markova chuckles
<Markova> "Although in mine, you're called something a bit more...pc?"
* Brianna looks at Markova
<Markova> "You are the APPRENTICE in mine."
<Brianna> "And the other?"
<Markova> "In his, you are called the LOVER."
* Brianna smirks
<Brianna> "Hardly."
<Markova> "You love him, don't you."
<Brianna> "Does it really matter? He is dead."
<Markova> "or should I say," he leans in with a smile, "Loved him."
<Markova> "Oh yes, he is dead."
<Markova> "Finally to be rid of that...pest."
* Brianna clenches her jaw
<Markova> "is that anger I sense?"
<Markova> "Good, good use that anger..look."
* Brianna pictures the rose in her mind, trying to calm her emotions
<Markova> The scene changes once again to each of you laying on the flor ina very
large and darkened room. A prone body lies on an altar
<Markova> "See, that's me on that altar, and you are just a mere six feet away."
<Markova> "In fact if you awaken, you could kill me. With one swing of your sword..."
<Markova> "Just one swing Brianna."
<Markova> "That's all you get."
* Markova produces a gladius from seemingly nowhere
* Markova hold it to you
<Brianna> "And why do you tell me this? Why do you want me to attack you? I'll not
fall so easily into your trap."
<Markova> "Take it....strike me and kill me?"
* Brianna does not take the sword
<Markova> "Like I said... you only get one chance.."
* Brianna keeps her arms folded and she watches Markova through half-lidded eyes
* Markova shrugs
<Markova> "It was worth a shot."
* Markova smiles almost sheepishly
<Markova> "That's good, I'm saving the best for last..."
<Markova> "I would have been disappointed if you had taken this one."
<Markova> "Both prophecies are coming true Brianna."
<Markova> "this is it..the final round."
<Markova> "I know who dies."
<Markova> "I know who will walk away...if you are successful."
<Markova> "I also know who truly loves you, and you never ever paid attention."
<Markova> "No, you were to busy with that old fossil to notice."
<Markova> "You want to know?"
<Brianna> "What are you talking about?"
<Markova> "Do you want to know who's heart was given to you along time ago, and you
didn't even see the offered hand."
<Markova> "You know what I'm talking about. I think deep inside, you know. Say the
name...say it...you have known all along..."
* Brianna looks at Markova in confusion
* Markova shakes his head.
<Markova> "Please do not play me for the fool, Brianna. I haven't with you."
* Markova sighs
<Markova> "Always the same with you... you never look into your heart..."
* Brianna remains silent, wondering what he is up to
* Markova motions and a figure appears in the darkness.
* Markova walks over to the figure
<Markova> "Recognize him now?"
* Brianna looks at the figure
* Markova smiles and suddenly you see him
<Markova> "That's right...Remy."
* Brianna laughs and shakes her head
<Brianna> "Now I know you.."
<Brianna> "you're delusional."
<Markova> "All along has he pined for you. And you laugh."
<Markova> "All your lovers die, Brianna."
<Markova> "His last thoughts will be of you..."
<Brianna> "No, you are wrong. But it doesn't matter to me what you think."
<Markova> "Really? All your lovers haven't died?"
* Markova begins to count off on his fingers
<Markova> "let's see...Connor....Ahuru...and now Remy."
<Brianna> "No, you're wrong about Remy. He is _not_ in love with me, and his last
thoughts, if they were to come soon, would be with his daughter."
<Markova> "No I already told him about his daughter."
<Markova> "He is safe in that knowledge."
<Markova> "His grandson however?"
* Markova shrugs
<Markova> "The boy child Matthew."
<Brianna> "What is your concern with him?"
<Markova> "None...since he dies..."
<Markova> "And that, Brianna is the truth."
* Brianna shakes her head
<Brianna> "We won't let that happen."
<Markova> "In both prophecies, he dies...nothing will change that."
<Markova> "I digress, however...."
<Markova> "This is my last offer to you."
* Markova opens his hand and you can see a white glowing ball
<Markova> "I take it you know something of true magick yes?"
* Brianna nods
* Markova nods
<Markova> "Good, well you have heard of Nephandi of course."
<Brianna> "Yes..."
<Markova> "So there are benefits to being what I am."
<Markova> "Watch."
* Markova motions and suddenly the darkness brightens into the light of day
<Markova> "Look...this is Egypt."
<Markova> "Egypt of old..the Egypt of your lover's day."
<Markova> "Take a good look Brianna."
* Brianna watches
<Markova> You see a street bazaar filled with people of various dress
<Markova> Some are slaves others are rich, but they mingle with each other as one
people. One person however stands out, he carries with him a little child.
<Markova> "Look, do you recognize him?"
* Brianna looks at him
<Markova> You look at his face and there is no mistaking...it is Atepa...Ahuru.
* Brianna does not answer Markova
* Markova motions and suddenly you find yourself in a very large house
<Markova> "Yes, Ahuru, it is him. It has been a year since the death of his wife, and
look."
* Markova motions to Atepa painting something on a large papyrus
<Markova> "He pines for you already."
<Markova> "Already, his heart beats for you..and you alone."
* Brianna looks at the painting, recognizing it
<Markova> "You are wondering what my offer is so.."
<Markova> "This ball," he says holding it up
<Markova> "Allows a wraith to become mortal once again."
<Markova> "I mean the whole heart beating, lungs breathing, mortal."
* Brianna looks at the ball
<Markova> "This is what I will give you."
<Markova> "You can take this, swallow it, and stay here, back in time with him."
<Markova> "I will not lie to you. He has only forty years left before Cheops dies."
* Brianna looks from the ball to Ahuru to Markova
<Markova> "But know this, it will be forty years of love. He already loves you.
You'll get to see the pyramids being built, scientific advances, all these things."
<Markova> "And best of all, true *mortal* love."
<Markova> "Touching, emotions...," he says touching your back, "Lovemaking, true
lovemaking."
* Brianna 's gaze keeps going from Ahuru to the ball
* Markova touches your belly
<Markova> "Pregnancy."
* Brianna flinches away from his touch
<Markova> "Forty years, I realize is not much," he shrugs
<Markova> "But that's forty years you will never have, not even as a wraith with him."
<Markova> "That's just about twenty children," he smiles, "if you start right away."
<Markova> "And I know..you want to begin."
* Brianna closes her eyes
* Brianna feels a tear begin to trace it's way down her cheek
<Markova> "You will grow old with him, you will die afterwards, but still such a
small price to pay..."
<Markova> "Just think, here is the man of your dreams, he won't hurt you, he won't
fight you...he won't beat you...ever."
<Brianna> "I would be betraying everything Ahuru worked for if I accepted. I
cannot.."
<Markova> "He is the man you were born for."
<Markova> "Really?"
* Brianna turns away and starts to sob, covering her face in her hands
<Markova> "Think about it, if you take this, you'll change history."
<Markova> "he won't become a wraith, because contented people don't do that."
<Markova> "And neither will you for that matter."
<Markova> "So what if I win in 1999? You won't even be dust by that time."
* Markova holds out his hand, the ball glows with an unearthly light
* Brianna is still shaking with sobs, when she turns to Markova.
<Markova> "Your choice?"
*Whatever you choose, my love goes with you...*
"Ahuru?"
*And know this, I will see you...again.*
<Brianna> "No," she says, her voice catching. "I will not accept your offer."
* Markova shakes his head
* Markova closes his hand and the ball disappears
<Markova> "Foolish bitch."
<Markova> The scene changes before your eyes as you gaze upon a beautiful freehold
<Markova> "Nice place, eh?"
* Daniel nods slightly
<Daniel> "Indeed. Too bad it isn't real."
<Markova> "Well you do what you can."
<Markova> "Which brings me to you, OATHBREAKER."
* Daniel cringes slightly at the word
<Daniel> "You know not of the events that led to that..."
<Markova> "I'm sorry did I say something that wasn't true?"
<Markova> "Oh I do."
<Markova> "I certainly do indeed."
<Daniel> "I do not deny its truth. I do not hide from my dishonour."
<Markova> "I know about Danae, I know about the coin...and I know about your
failure."
<Markova> "No you don't which shows great character, you wear it like armor."
<Daniel> "Then you would know that it was not entirely my fault...and that I shall
avenge my dishonour."
<Markova> "Wasn't it your fault?"
<Markova> "You knew you weren't as good as he."
<Daniel> "I had to..."
<Markova> "You could have sent her to someone more worthy."
<Markova> "But no, yours is the sin of pride."
* Markova smiles.
<Markova> "My favorite."
<Daniel> "Do not speak to me of sins."
<Daniel> "There is no sin...there is just honour and dishonour."
* Markova shrugs
<Markova> "it's al the same failing in the end."
<Daniel> "Morality is meaningless to us...we existed before the Banality of morals."
<Markova> "Right, when you stole children and raised them as playthings...then tossed
them aside when they got boring."
<Daniel> "They were humans! And they knew nothing of the greater purpose..."
<Markova> "See, your pride is showing."
<Markova> "Just humans huh?"
<Markova> "Well it looks like just us humans won the war, eh?"
<Daniel> "The war isn't over. It will never be over."
<Markova> "That's where you are wrong."
<Markova> "As long as there is pain, and hate, people will be afraid, and that my
friend is banal."
<Daniel> "Fear is not banal...fear is the basis of nightmare, the other half of
dream."
<Markova> "So you say."
<Markova> "But imagine a world without hate...without fear."
<Daniel> "It would be boring. Fear stokes the blood and dreams as much as passion and
love."
<Markova> "people to be free to show wonder, and creativity."
<Markova> "Your kind would revel in it."
<Daniel> "They would...until they realized what a double-edged blade it was..."
<Markova> "but it would be enough to turn the tides, enough to bring about change."
<Daniel> "My kind are not stupid, Roman. We were old when you were young, and we
shall still be when even you are nothing but memory."
* Markova shurgs
<Markova> "even so."
<Markova> "Ironclaw beat you, I can give you a chance for revenge."
<Daniel> "I will have my revenge regardless of whether or not you give me the chance.
I shall take it."
<Markova> "No you won't..."
<Markova> "You are the one Daniel."
<Markova> "If you win, you will be thone who will not leave."
<Markova> "And none of your kind will know."
<Markova> "You will be oathbreaker forever."
<Daniel> "It...it matters not. Only the fight..."
<Markova> "Only the fight...you sound much like me."
<Daniel> "Only the fight for honour, human. Only the fight for dreams."
<Markova> "This is a fight you will not win."
<Markova> "I have already turned one of you..."
<Daniel> "Then I shall destroy both of you. Alone if need be."
<Markova> "You couldn't even destroy ironclaw, and now you wish to challenge a god?"
<Daniel> "I have lofty ambitions. I am, after all, a noble."
* Daniel smirks
<Markova> "Oh yes, a noble. That is what the old fossil called you."
<Markova> "Both prophecies are coming true now is the last fight...the final round."
<Daniel> "I am Danyll ap Gwydion. Heir to the Duchy of Frozen Crystals. And I shall
defeat you, Roman. Human. Even if I breathe my last breath to do so."
<Markova> "You may well at that, but in the end...was the result worth it?"
<Markova> "Want to change things, make them better, what is so wrong in doing so?"
<Daniel> "There is nothing wrong in change...so long as it is undertaken nobly. Not
against the wills of others."
<Markova> "But if you had the power, if you could do it, you know you would do as I
try to do now."
<Daniel> "Yes. I would."
<Daniel> "But the ends to not always justify the means."
<Markova> "True...true."
<Daniel> "Just as we were wrong to fight the Accordance War, you are wrong to force
this on others."
<Markova> "So join me, Daniel. Show me my errors. help me to understand."
<Daniel> "I don't believe you will ever understand."
<Markova> "together we could create the most beautiful world of all."
<Daniel> "You embody everything I cannot be. Everything I must not be."
<Markova> "truly you believe that?"
<Markova> "have I tried to kill you? Haven't I stood here and listened to each and
everyone one of you?"
<Markova> "Talked with you? A monster would have destroyed you by now. Me, I want you
to see my side."
<Daniel> "Perhaps you can't kill us. Not here."
<Markova> "i want your help."
<Markova> "Oh I can, this is my dream after all."
<Markova> "i am god here."
<Daniel> "And I am of all dreams. You cannot destroy that which is created by
everyone."
<Markova> "So be it then."
<Markova> "You disappoint me Daniel, I was hoping that you of all of them, would help
me in my endeavors."
<Daniel> "I might have, were your means not so distasteful and your goal merely that
of destruction."
<Daniel> "In all the wars and battles fought by my kind, never once did we seek to
obliterate."
<Markova> "Still you do not understand, and unfortunately you never will."
<Storyteller> The scene changes in your mind to total darkness
* Hans keeps his pistol ready for Markova's attack.
<Storyteller> No light can get to you here, no you cannot even see your hand in front
of your face.
<Markova> "Dark in here isn't it?"
<Hans> "As dark as your soul, if you can even call it that."
<Markova> "Why Hans you have the soul of a poet I see."
<Hans> "I am many things."
<Markova> "Yes, Hans you are...yes you are."
<Hans> "Are you too afraid to face me?"
* Markova emerges from the darkness
* Hans aims the pistol at him.
* Markova looks at the pistol and smiles
<Markova> "Temper temper."
<Markova> "I'm not here to fight you, Hans."
<Hans> "I know my limitations against the devil."
<Markova> "The devil you say? I am no devil Hans. I just want to put the wrong things
right....much like you..."
<Hans> "If that is so, why do you destroy so much to create the 'right' thing."
<Markova> "The world needs to be cleansed, Hans. I don't want to destroy the world.
The balance has been tipped, things are out of control."
<Markova> "And really what is destroyed after Oblivion?"
<Markova> "Nothing, not really."
<Markova> "Only sentience, the soul is wiped clean Hans, but the material is still
left. The material is still used."
<Hans> "No, you are out of control. The make things right does not mean to destroy.
I learned that the hard way and I am trying to repent. Perhaps it is time you saw
that for yourself."
<Markova> "A repent, repent."
<Markova> "You have much to repent for eh?"
<Markova> "You see when Oblivion takes you, it just wipes away all the hate, all the
anger...everything, and then the soul is able to have another life without all the
baggage from it's previous ones."
<Hans> "Yes. I was wrong when I ordered those Jews killed. And you are wrong in
this war. It will only continue with more destruction until not even your
'perfect world' is destroyed in the process."
<Markova> "So you say, come with me Hans I want to show you something.."
* Markova walks towards a distantr light, and he motions for you to follow.
<Hans> "Life and death are not slates that can be erased. Everything we do in the
past, presnt, and future have consequences."
<Markova> "Very true, Hans."
<Markova> Suddenly the scene changes to a concetration camp
<Markova> Emaciated people are working ina field, they seem to not have eaten in week.
<Hans> "Why should I follow you? I followed a madman before, and it lead me to the
grave. Where will you lead me to?"
<Markova> "This my friend, this is true evil."
<Hans> "Yes, it is evil. At least a monster can see that for himself."
<Markova> "And you were it's unwitting accomplice."
<Hans> "Yes, I was."
<Markova> "You signed the order, you gave your evil a name."
<Markova> "Your name."
<Hans> "I did, and that is why I try to make up for that mistake."
<Markova> "That is my offer, Hans. I can help you pay your pennance for that mistake."
<Hans> "But you did it as well, when you ordered the heretics to be crucfied... or
eaten."
<Hans> "I doubt that."
<Markova> "I can leave you here, back in time as a mortal. You can undo what you did
and not sign that order."
<Hans> "Very well, on one condition."
<Markova> "I will not lie to you however, your impertanince will get you killed,
however you will be known as the one who stood up for what's right. You will die a
hero."
* Markova raises his eyebrows
<Markova> "Condition?"
<Hans> "I will accept your offer, but you have to go back and undue all of your evils
when you were a Roman general."
<Markova> "I cannot...it does not work that way Hans."
<Markova> "I cannot change my past...only others."
<Hans> "then teach me your gifts, and I will help you change your past."
<Markova> "Again that would take thousands of years, years that we do not have."
<Markova> "This is my offer, take it...or do not."
<Hans> "But, we are dead. How long do you expect to be here?"
<Markova> "I am the dark at the end of all days, I will be forever."
<Hans> "We have time then."
<Markova> "So will you join me?"
<Hans> "Will you allow me to help you change your past?"
<Markova> "No."
<Markova> "The world needs me as I am..."
<Hans> "Then I will not join you. I will find another way."
* Markova growls
<Markova> "So be it."
<Markova> The scene changes before your eyes to that of nite club
* Angelo blinks and looks around.
<Markova> You are sitting at the bar watching the girls on the stage strip down to
their bare nothings while music fills the place
<Markova> The club is empty ave you and the bartender who fills your drink with a
smile
<Markova> "Refill?"
* Angelo looks back to the bar.
<Angelo> "Oh yeah, sure. Scotch."
* Markova pours you a scotch
<Markova> "So you like?"
* Angelo grins.
<Markova> "I always liked the twentieth century criminal element."
<Markova> "The Mafia is so much better than these gangbangers today."
<Angelo> "Don't get me started."
* Angelo sips his scotch.
<Angelo> "Damn, that's fine. You know how long it's been since I had a good
single-malt scotch?"
<Markova> "The Mafia has style, these bangers have none of that. just a bunch of
scared punks killing peoples grandmothers for their social security checks."
* Angelo nods.
* Markova puts the bottle in front of you and smiles, "You've got a tab here."
<Angelo> "Push an old lady down the stairs for crack money. No class at all."
<Angelo> "Thanks."
<Markova> "The Mafia only killed when necessary, and only if you came to them
first...now that's class."
<Markova> "Giving people what they want..."
* Angelo nods. "Yeah, hey. I never whacked nobody that didn't need to be whacked."
<Markova> "Untaxed liquor or smokes, pornography, gambling...the essentials to living
a decent life."
* Markova frowns
* Angelo grins.
<Markova> "Hmm perhaps you can help me."
<Angelo> "I was waiting to hear that."
<Markova> "I have always wondered, Angelo."
<Angelo> "Figured the ego stroking wasn't just for fun."
<Markova> "In my times, sex was considered beautiful, there were no hang ups, no sins
just two people sharing a good time."
<Markova> "In your day, in your supposedly advanced civilization, it's a sin, there
are laws against it, in fact did you know that in many places homosexuality is a
sin? I don't understand."
* Angelo shrugs.
<Markova> "It's a mystery to me."
<Angelo> "I ain't got nothing against faggots if they don't start something with me."
<Markova> "Ah well."
<Angelo> "None of my business, right?"
<Markova> "I will say this however...your women are definately better looking that
ours were."
<Angelo> "Hey, well, we got ways to fix imperfections now."
<Markova> "You see I think the world needs a cleansing."
<Markova> "Each of you go on about how I am evil and I want to destroy thw world, but
you don't look at the one basic fact."
<Markova> "Oblivion doesn't destroy the soul...just wipes it clean," he says wiping
down the bar and poiting to it.
* Angelo shrugs.
<Markova> "See I cleaned off the wood. The wood is still there yes?"
<Markova> "But the stains and spills and liquor are gone."
<Angelo> "Hey, we all got our jobs to do. I can't say what I was up to when I was
alive was really that different from what you're up to."
<Markova> "oblivion is the end of sentience, not the material."
* Angelo nods. "You wiped up a couple of peanuts too, but it's not like there aren't
gonna be more peanuts."
<Angelo> "I listened to my teachers, ya know."
<Markova> "the soul is then free to be reborn without all the baggage, without all
the hang ups of previous lives."
* Markova smiles
<Markova> "Yes you did, you're smarter than your fellow cohort gives you credit
for..."
<Angelo> "Yeah, well, there's a lot they don't know about me. I like it that way."
<Markova> "Imagine taking every gangbanger and wiping them clean taking away their
hate and predjudices, making them clean for a new life one where they may actually
be a benefit to society."
<Markova> "Oblivion isn't the end...it's the biggest and best second chance these
people will ever get."
<Angelo> "Sounds too easy, to me."
<Markova> "And honestly who doesn't want a second chance?"
<Markova> "You see you are falling into that same trap your fellows are...well most
of your fellows."
<Markova> "Sometimes things are just that easy."
<Angelo> "Not if they're worth having. That's what makes me better than those
gangbangers. You said it yourself. We don't take the easy way."
<Markova> "if a gangbager walks down the street and tries to kill your grandmother
and you kill him first, is that evil?"
<Markova> "Even tho you did commit and essentially evil act?"
* Angelo shrugs.
<Angelo> "Doesn't seem evil to me."
<Markova> "Of course it isn't evil, you were defending a helpless old woman, see it
all boils down to her or him, and it's as simple as that."
<Angelo> "Hell, I'd probably rough him up a bit and then let my grandma have him.
That'd teach him a lesson."
<Markova> "Sometimes things are very simple, it all the past judgements, and hate
that make it complicated.."
<Angelo> "Yeah, well, we all got our jobs to do."
<Markova> "You see? You kill him right and suddenyl your'e the bad guy, they would
say, 'You killed him because he's this color, or that nationality.'"
<Markova> "When all it boils down to, is that he was about to kill grandma and you
stopped him. Simple, it's a fact."
* Markova walks down the bar and grabs the beer nuts and sets them in front of you
taking a handful
<Angelo> "Well, you gotta see it from my side. See, from where I'm sitting, -you're-
the one that looks like the gangbanger, getting ready to fuck up everything I've
worked for."
<Angelo> "Just cause we can talk all civil doesn't mean I agree with you."
<Markova> "I see what you are saying, Angelo. I do, but I'm not. Listen...."
<Markova> "The world needs good and evil, can we agree on that? One is meaningless
without the other right?"
<Angelo> "Yeah, I'll buy that."
* Markova nods.
<Markova> "Good, now wouldn't you say that the balance has slipped towards evil at
this present time? And that it does not look like it's going to right itself
anytime soon?"
* Markova holds his hands like a balance each one filled with beer nuts
<Angelo> "Sure, but looks to me like the problems going down on this side can be
traced back to you, buddy."
<Angelo> "Ain't the Angels of Heavenly Light trashing the City, ya know."
<Markova> "All I want is to make the balance right again. get rid," he dumps some of
the nuts from one hand, "Get rid of some of the evil element...see balance."
<Angelo> "Whatever you say, pal."
<Markova> "Exactly, Angelo, exactly so who better to get rid of some of the evil,
than evil itself?"
<Markova> "Who better?"
<Markova> "Isn't it true that sometimes you have to stoop to your enemies level to
destroy him?"
<Angelo> "Nope. My family didn't get where it is today by stooping."
* Markova raises an eyebrow
<Markova> "really?"
<Angelo> "Not the way I see it."
<Markova> "Angelo, we of any of your cohort understand. We are both essentially evil
men who do what they must."
<Angelo> "We're going around in circles here. You got your job to do, I got mine.
Just cause neither of us is on the up-and-up don't mean we're on the same side."
<Markova> "Join me, Angelo. Help me to understand this twentieth century world. Help
me make the balance right itself once more.."
* Markova pushes another drink towards you
<Markova> "Drink, and drink the milk of understanding..."
<Markova> "Join me..."
<Angelo> "I think I've had enough for the evening."
* Markova shrugs
* Angelo pushes his stool back and stands.
<Markova> "You are making a mistake."
<Angelo> "Shame we couldn't work something out, but we're just too different, you and
me."
<Markova> "But it's yours to make, enjoy your lost world, Angelo...while you can...."
<Storyteller> You all begin to awaken in the room with the eye
* Daniel stands
<Daniel> "We all here?"
* Remy gets up
<Remy> "Looks like it..."
* William makes sure is sword is still there and gets up quickly
* Angelo shakes his head.
* Brianna slowly opens her eyes, tears streaming down her face
<Angelo> "Yeah, yeah..."
<Brianna> As she sits up, she covers her face in her hands and sobs
<Storyteller> A large greenish portal hangs over the eye
* William moves over to Brianna and helps her up
* Angelo doesn't look particularly fazed at all.
* Brianna takes William's hand and grabs tightly to it, as if holding onto a lifeline
* William looks surprised and pulls Brianna up
<Angelo> "Everybody okay?"
<Daniel> "What is that?"
<William> "What's wrong, Brianna?"
* Remy looks over at Brianna
* Brianna shakes her head, still unable to speak
<Remy> "You alright, Cher?"
* Brianna shakes her head
* Remy hugs Brianna tightly. "We're almost through this. We need you to stay strong,
ok?"
* Brianna nods through her tears, trying to smile at Remy
* Angelo frowns, walking over to the green portal and looking at it.
* Remy gives Bri another squeeze, and then lets her go and looks toward the portal.
<Remy> "What is it?"
<Angelo> "The battle, look..."
* Angelo points at the portal.
* Remy looks into the portal
* William squints into the portal
* Brianna turns and looks through the portal, keeping a hold of William's hand and
taking ahold of Remy's
* Remy takes hold of Brianna's hand
* William smiles and squeezes Brianna's hand. "Don't worry, Brianna. Whatever Markova
showed you was nothing more than a product of his sick mind."
* Angelo watches.
* Brianna shakes her head. "It's not what he showed me. It's what he offered me. I
*hate* him.."
* Angelo frowns.
<Angelo> "You didn't take him up on it, did you?"
* William nods at Brianna. "I understand how you must feel. Channel that hate at
him-- I think we're going to need it..."
* Brianna looks at Angelo
<Brianna> "I wouldn't be here if I did."
* Remy nods
<William> "She's right! None of us accepted then?"
<Storyteller> Hans nods as well
<Angelo> "Hmm. Good point."
<Angelo> "Nah, he didn't have anything I wanted."
* Angelo shrugs.
<Remy> "I had faith that none of us would."
<Angelo> "Besides, why come this far just to give up?"
* Brianna takes a shaky breath
<Storyteller> "He offered me a chance..."
<Remy> "He told me he only needed a few, and I knew we had already won."
* William thinks. "Did he tell any of you that one of us had already joined him?"
<Angelo> "A few what?"
* Brianna nods
<Brianna> "Yes, he told me that.."
* Remy grins a bit. "I was a bit insulted, though...he didn't even try very hard."
* Remy shakes his head. "He hadn't mentioned that to me..."
* Brianna looks at Remy. "Don't be insulted. Be grateful.."
* Remy looks around.
* Brianna looks like she's trying not to break into sobs again
* Remy hugs Brianna again
* William tries to think of what he can do to comfort Brianna. "Do you want to talk
about what happened in there, Brianna?"
* Angelo goes back to watching the portal.
* Daniel frowns and looks around, blinking owlishly
<Bot> Suddenly you see it
* Brianna shakes her head. "N...no...thank you William. It is something I have to
deal with myself."
<Storyteller> Markova is walking towards the portal
* William nods. and then is quickly distracted by the portal
* Daniel stands and draws Nocturne. "Markova!"
<Daniel> "Halt!"
* Remy looks in, and draws his pistol, pointing it at Markova
* William draws his weapon, but doesn't hold it aloft.
<Storyteller> A voice rings out within your minds
<Storyteller> "It can only be closed...on the inside.."
* Remy looks around. "Fuck!"
<Storyteller> Markova is walking faster he is now only fifty fee from the portal
* Daniel frowns
* William furrows his brow
<Remy> "One of us will have to go in..."
* Daniel runs towards the portal
<William> "How it is to be closed from inside??"
* Brianna rushes towards Markova
<Remy> "No!"
* Remy rushes, too
* William sees the others running, and runs with them.
* Angelo hangs back a bit.
* Brianna pulls her gladius and runs to intercept Markova
<Remy> "Everyone else, stay back. That's an order!"
* Daniel slashes at Markova's legs as he runs past. "Stop him!"
* William tries to push forward
<Remy> "The one who goes through won't make it back alive."
* Angelo puts his hand on his gladius, and follows the order to halt.
<William> "Then, Remy, are you saying you want to be the one?"
<Remy> "We only need one martyr, people."
* Brianna stops, drops her sword and begins to search through her pockets
* William holds his sword up head-high
* Remy looks at William "'Course I don't want to be the one. But it's my duty. I'm
running this unit."
<Angelo> "Hey, aren't we supposed to be a team here?"
<William> "I will die for this worthy cause. There is no death more honorable than
this."
<Brianna> "Remy no!!"
* Daniel ignores the others and continues to run towards the portal
<Brianna> "Don't, it's what he wants.. he..spoke to me about you. Don't go through
there! I might have something that can stop this.."
* William watches Daniel run through the portal and makes chase
<Remy> "Daniel, no!"
<Remy> "God damn it, I gave you an order!"
* Remy moves to stop Daniel
<Daniel> "I can stop him!"
* William lunges at Daniel and tries to tackle him
* Angelo throws his hands up in the air.
<Storyteller> markova trips over a dead body and begins to get up
* Daniel absently slashes behind him. "Get away from me!"
<Brianna> "Grab him! NOW!"
* Angelo turns to Remy. "Are you sure about this one? Positive? Whoever goes through
won't be able to come back?"
* Brianna pulls out what looks like a spiderweb, and begins to twist and fold it
between her hands
* Remy looks at Angelo. I'm pretty damned sure, considering markova's power
* Brianna keeps her eyes intent on the spiderweb as she manipulates it's strands,
delicately moving one string then another
<Storyteller> Will tackles Daniel there is a clanging noise as the dreamsteel falls
to the floor by the portal
* Remy steps toward the portal
<Daniel> "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! I HAVE TO STOP HIM!"
* William presses Daniel to the ground and waits to see what Remy says next
<Remy> "I'll do it."
<William> "No, Remy. You have a family amoungst the living who need your protection!"
* Remy hesitates
* Remy looks at Brianna. "Will you watch over them?"
<William> "I have no one...no quest....this is my quest. I will do it."
* Angelo looks Remy up and down.
<Remy> "You are the prophet's aprentice."
* Brianna looks at Remy, fear in her eyes
<Angelo> "We'll all watch over them."
<Brianna> "I...I don't know if I can...Remy no..."
* Brianna looks somewhat guiltily at William
* Remy shakes his head at William. "You'll find one. I have to do this."
* Daniel tries to twist and turn. "Dammit...let me go! It's a matter of honour!"
* Remy smiles at Daniel. "You forget, I vowed to let no one else under my command die."
* William grits his teeth in determination and continues to hold the struggling Daniel
* Remy walks toward the portal again
<Storyteller> remy enters it, and the portal closes
<William> "Remy....you don't have to do this!"
<Brianna> "Remy! Stop, please - no! He told me this would happen!!!"
* Angelo frowns.
* William looks at the portal in amazement and is speechless
<Brianna> "Nooooo!!!!!!" "
* William slowly releases his grip on Daniel and slumps to one side
* Brianna looses her grip on the web and falls to her knees
<Storyteller> There is a movement
* Angelo looks around, not saying anything.
* William turns his head slowly to face Brianna. "What did he tell you?"
* Brianna looks up at William "He said that Remy would be the one to die... he told
me, and I couldn't stop it..."
<Storyteller> The ground beneath you begins to shakes as the tower feels as if it's
collapsing
* Daniel clenches his fists, shaking with anger
<Brianna> A tear traces it's way down Brianna's cheek
<Angelo> "Shit, let's get out of here. We've got time to kick ourselves later."
* William gets up. "You knew?? You knew Remy would be the one?"
* Angelo helps people to their feet.
* William looks at Daniel and extends him his hand
* Brianna lets Angelo help her, and as she gets up she takes the web and places it in
her pocket
* Brianna nods numbly
<Brianna> "I didn't want to believe him..."
<Angelo> "C'mon folks, this ain't the time. Let's go."
<William> "Daniel...no hard feelings?"
* Daniel reaches for his sword
* William slits his eyes and reaches for his own sword. Keeping his eye on Daniel, he
asks Brianna, "Who told you-- Markova or Ahuru?"
<Daniel> "I could have righted all the wrongs..."
<Brianna> "Markova.."
* Brianna hisses the name
<Angelo> "Hey, you bunch of assholes! The tower's falling down around our ears! You
coming, or not?"
* William nods at Brianna. "I wonder if he knew Remy would be the bringing of his
death, as well!"
* Angelo makes his way towards the stairs.
<Storyteller> The ceiling stones begin to fall
* William looks startled and begins to run for the exit
* Daniel stands and sheathes his sword
<Daniel> "Another time..."
* Daniel begins to jog towards the exit, stealing a glance behind him
* Brianna follows the others, looking one last time at where the vanished portal
stood and feels another piece of her die
* William shakes his head while running and hopes he isn't on Daniel's hit-list now
<Storyteller> You crash through the large doors just in time as the tower collapses
* Brianna runs on, heedless of the tears streaming down her face
<William> As William runs, large, white, angellic wings suddenly sprout from his
back. He flies forward picking up Brianna under the arms, and flied them both out
of the building
<Storyteller> The whole city seems to be quaking as buildings fall
* Daniel runs faster, looking back one last time
* William hovers at a safe height with Brianna, waiting for the rest of the group to
make it out
<Storyteller> The crew on the ship are waving you in frantically
* Angelo wastes no time in getting back to the ship.
* William quickly lands on this ship and lets Brianna down-- ready to fly back to get
any stragglers.
<Storyteller> Hans runs up the plank looking back at Daniel, "Hurry!"
* Brianna falls to the ground, unsteady on her feet
* Daniel races as fast as he can towards the ship
* William flies over to Daniel and grabs hold of him under the arms and attempts to
fly him to the ship, as well.
<Storyteller> The ship lurches as it begins to speed out of the island
<Storyteller> A voice echoes in Brianna's head, it's remy's. "Brianna...I've always
loved you...I needed you to know that. And please know my death is not your fault."
* Brianna closes her eyes, and covers her face again
<Storyteller> And in William's mind
<Brianna> "Remy.. I'm sorry... I didn't know.."
* Daniel just relaxes and slumps, his gaze directed at the waves
<Storyteller> "You must protect my grandson, you are the knight protector."
<Storyteller> And in Angelo's
* William looks up suddenly-- eyes blazing with pride and purpose
<Storyteller> "You must take care of them now..."
<Storyteller> And finally in Daniels
<William> <I will protect them, Remy....I will..>
* Angelo looks confused for a moment.
<Storyteller> "You must take care of Brianna... "
* Daniel frowns, his hand straying to the hilt of midnight-bladed Nocturne
<Storyteller> The island begins to implode almost as one giant wave heads your way
<Storyteller> "Hold on to something!!!!!" friday screams
* Angelo grabs a railing and entwines his arms around them.
* Daniel grabs the nearest railing, his gaze riveted on the oncoming wave
* William throw himself over Brianna and braces them against a railing
* Brianna clutches onto a railing and shuts her eyes
<Storyteller> the waves hits and nearly knocks the Ulysses over end, but the ship
holds fast
<Storyteller> Simon rushes on deck
* William shakes his head and wipes the water from his face. Getting up, he again
helps Brianna to her feet.
<Storyteller> "we took damage, but he's still seaworthy."
* Daniel looks at Simon. "Set a course for home. As fast as she can take us."
<Storyteller> Simon nods, "It'll be awhile..."
* Angelo sits down on the deck.
* William grips his sword and walks over to Daniel
* Daniel nods. "That's all right."
* Brianna slowly gets to her feet, her face cold and composed
* Daniel looks over at William
<William> "Daniel....what I did back there...I didn't mean you any offense."
<Daniel> "I know. You were only doing what you thought was right."
<Angelo> "So, what now?"
* William nods watching Daniel's face carefully
<William> "No hard feelings, Daniel?"
* Daniel glances at Angelo. "We're going home."
* Daniel smiles slightly at William. "No hard feelings. But I'll be out of sorts for
a while."
<Storyteller> You each take one last look at where the island once was, and then turn
back and face towards home
* Daniel chuckles. "I always did hate missing the most heroic parts of a battle."
* William nods in relief. "I can understand. I feel a little cheated, myself! But I
have a purpose once again..."
* Brianna stands at the railing, her long blond hair trailing behind her as the wind
dances across her features
<Storyteller> Somewhere in New York
<Storyteller> A great battle rages at the world Trade center as the hierarchy begisn
to storm the building
<Storyteller> A rider atop a horse gallops up the stairwell his men following behind
him
<Storyteller> his six shooters plowing through the spectres in his way
<Storyteller> Finaly he stops and dismounts keeping his eye on the spectre in front
of him
<Usher> "You look familair?"
* Ridley smiles as his feature begins to shift
<Ridley> to that of a seventeen year old boy
<Ridley> "How do I look now?"
<Usher> "Christ,,it's you! well well the Kid returns."
<Usher> "How many times do I have to kill you boy?"
<Ridley> "Just the one...last time" he says as he puts his hands near his six shooters
<Usher> "Let's go then."
* Usher puts his hands near his gun.
<Usher> The two stare each other down and finally Usher goes for his gun
* Ridley is too quick for him and pulls out both guns firing
* Usher flies into the back wall as several legionnaires rush him
<Ridley> "Take him out of here.."
<Usher> "This isn't over Kelly! This isn't over! How do you think we managed to do so
well??? Our spies are everywhere!"
<Usher> "We are legion!"
* Usher screams as the legionnaires lead him away
<Usher> "There are many among you!"
<Usher> "AMONG YOU MANY!!!"
